Ireland - FAMOUS PLACES

Dublin 's castle

Dublin Castle was the seat of British power in Dublin, the capital of united Ireland until 1922 . Most buildings date from the eighteenth century, though a castle stood on this site from the time of John of England ( 1167-1216 ) . The castle was the seat of the British government in Ireland from 1171 to 1922 .

History

It performed many functions over the centuries . It was mainly the royal residence where the Lord Lieutement of Ireland remained, representing the British crown. The Viceregal Apartments, now called State Apartments, are the place of inauguration of the President . The Chief Secretary for Ireland, the second in the government, also had his offices at the castle. Over the years, the parliament and the court stood a moment in this area before settling in suitable buildings.

It also served as military barracks .

During the British occupation of Ireland, the term " Castle Catholic " was a pejorative term applied to a Catholic who supported the British administration.

Castle Guards (early 20^th century).

In 1907, the Irish crown jewels , that were in the castle, were stolen .

During the Anglo- Irish War , the castle was the heart of UK efforts against Republicans. During the night of Bloody Sunday in 1920 , two officers of the IRA and their friends were killed trying to escape.

The castle ceased to be used by the government in 1922, when Ireland became an independent state. For some time it served as court since Four Courts had been destroyed in 1922. When the court changed, the castle was used for ceremonies . It is here that Eamon de Varela received ambassadors. Investitures of presidents all took place at the castle from 1945, the last being on November 11, 2011 with Michael D. Higgins.

The castle is nowadays a tourist attraction , having been renovated , it is now used as a conference center. During the Irish Presidency of the European Union, it was the scene of several meetings of the European Council.

The crypt of the Royal Chapel is now an arts center where concerts are held occasionally. The buildings are open to the public except during official ceremonies. The most visited places are St. Patrick 's Hall, a large ballroom, which hosts investitures, the Throne Room where you can see a throne of William III of England and viceroy apartments which include rooms used by viceroys or by members of the royal family. The last person to have slept in one of these rooms is Margaret Thatcher who spent a night in 1979 during a meeting of the European Council.

Towers of Dublin Castle

The Record Tower, erected in 1258, is the oldest vestige to have been left unchanged. The rest of the castle has evolved over the centuries to a neoclassical style, because of fires that devastated the wings of the fortress (1670, 1684). Sir William Robinson ordered the construction of two courtyards: the Upper and Lower Yard.

In 1812, the Octagonal Tower was added to the construction. It is a turn based style of the Record Tower, whose size, much smaller, serves to emphasize the Romanesque past influences of the castle.

In the twentieth century the Bermingham Tower, south-west tower of the castle was improved, in order to push its neo-Gothic accents.

Over the years, Dublin Castle has welcomed within its walls great personalities, and still is to this day the place of political ceremonies. For example the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 which was also held in the castle.

STATUE OF JUSTICE

As early as 1500, laws change and people not respecting them are imprisoned in Dublin's Castle, they are severely punished or even killed.

The statue is showing its back to the city of Dublin as an insult to the Irish. She looks at her sword as she held in the other hand the balance representing the balance and justice meaning that justice in Ireland is more a matter od violence than real justice since the scales are always unbalanced due to the rust and rain.

Over time, it became the logo of the tax administration in Ireland.

Amaury & Adrien